"N" is for Family

                                                          

Grandchildren are a Crown to their Grandparents.

Proverbs 17:6a

 

Grace inspects the frozen bird bath.

It’s the winter of the Polar Vortex.

My achy joints protest.

It’s Sunday morning. I know I’ve overslept, but I’m content sandwiched between warm covers.

 

"Wear this one," says Bella, my 10-year-old granddaughter, as she pulls out the black and white dress with ruffled sleeves from my closet and walks it to my bedside.

 “We’re going to be late for church,” she insists.

Although, I dislike wearing dresses and prefer wearing slacks instead; I roll out of bed and embrace her recommendation. I’m grateful that my granddaughters, Grace and Bella, enjoy attending church; and I don’t want them to be late today because I’ve lingered in bed.

Bella hands me a pair of black leather boots and my gold dangly earrings to complete my ensemble.

She’s a born fashionista.

Bella, my fashionista!

 

She loves perusing my closet choosing outfits for me to wear and anticipates the day when she can fit into my clothes.

Do you also have a granddaughter who enjoys playing dress-up with your clothes, shoes and jewelry?

After squeezing into a pair of pantyhose, another pet peeve, I hastily shove my foot into my boot and notice a forgotten "N" scribbled in black marker on the sole.

I smile and remember.

 

Grace and Bella were five and six years old. Shoes haphazardly covered my bedroom floor. "What are you girls up to?" I ask these blithe sisters sitting in my closet.

Large blue eyes gleam at me through wispy blonde locks, "I'm putting 'N' for Nana on the bottoms of your shoes so if you lose them people will know they're yours," explains Grace. In a makeshift assembly line Bella hands Grace a pair of my red patent leather pumps for inscription.

That scrawled “N” held more meaning than “Nana.”

It represented a particular position in our family unit.

Feeling connected to our family greatly occupies the hearts of Grace and Bella.

When God created humans, he designed us to live in families. Family relationships, therefore, are important to God.

My husband, Tom, and I knew the very first step in raising our granddaughters was to provide a loving and stable environment. It was important for us to establish a sense of family and belonging.

 Looking at family photos is a great way to instill connectedness.

 

 

 

 

My husband’s father, Joseph, was half Cherokee Indian. His nickname was Injun Joe. He looked like an Indian Chief. He had an imposing physique, dark skin and hair, yet he was incredibly tenderhearted.

One very old photo is of Injun Joe’s mother. The picture is scratched and bent at the edges. A tall, slender Cherokee woman holds young Injun Joe.

Sadly, he died about six years after Tom and I were married. Thankfully, through pictures and memories, we can carry on his legacy to our grandchildren.

Our granddaughters love to imagine the days when their ancestors lived in teepees and hunted with bows and arrows. Although Grace and Bella don’t resemble a couple of Cherokee squaws, they know Native Americans are part of their heritage.

Reflections:

Children are a gift from the Lord; they are a reward from him. Children born to a young man are like arrows in a warrior's hands. (Psalm 127:3-5)

 

 

Fun activities such as looking at family photos can help build your family's sense of identity and help support your grandchildren’s self-esteem.

What fun activities do you do with your grandchildren?

What ways do you reinforce their sense of self-worth?

Beth

                                                                                          

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